Centre de données sur le patrimoine naturel du Québec
Glossary
Concentration of animal species using the same site for a phase of their life cycle (feeding, reproduction, migration, hibernating, etc.), e.g. bird colonies, bat or reptile hibernacula, concentrations of migrating shorebirds, multispecific spawning grounds, multispecific mussel habitats.Variety and abundance of living organisms of all origins. This includes intra-species genetic diversity, inter-species diversity and diversity of ecosystems, whether land, aquatic or marine.
Conservation
Protection and maintenance, through a series of genetic
diversity measures of differing intensity, of
species,
ecosystems
and the evolutionary phenomena affecting them.
Conservation data center (CDC)
Organization affiliated with NatureServe and mandated to compile, process, analyze and supply information on the distribution, abundance and conservation requirements of threatened or vulnerable species, natural communities and special animal assemblages.
Dynamic set of plants, animals, micro-organisms, with their non-living environment, that forms a functional unit.
(Element) Occurrence
Term used in the NatureServe CDC network to designate an
area (point or map polygon) in which an element of
biodiversity is, or was, present. An occurrence has a
conservation value (rank) for this element. For species, the
occurrence generally corresponds to the habitat occupied by
a local population of the species in question. What
constitutes an occurrence and the criteria used to assign
the related element occurrence rank varies depending on the
element of biodiversity under consideration. The occurrence
may correspond to a single map polygon (line or observation
point) or to a group of nearby polygons.
The term element refers to a unit of biodiversity, i.e. species, natural community or special animal assemblage.
Element occurrence rank
The element occurrence rank assesses the estimated viability
and probability of persistence of the occurrences
of a given element. Eight basic EO ranks are used in
prioritizing EOs for conservation planning purposes: A:
excellent; B: good; C: fair; D: poor; E: verified extant
(viability not assessed); F: failed to find; H: historical;
X: extirpated. The basic "A" through "D" ranks are based on
currently known biological and habitat-related factors that
are used to estimate viability of an EO. The more viable an
EO is, the higher its EO rank and the higher its
conservation value. If an EO is not native or not natural in
origin, its origin status can be indicated through the use
of an origin status subrank: i: introduced; r:
reintroduced/restored.
Geomatics
Discipline that digitally manages
geographic data and uses the sciences and technologies
linked to their acquisition, storage, processing and
dissemination.
Rank assigned to element based on its provincial or state conservation status rank (S1 to S5, in decreasing order of priority. Elements ranked S1, S2 or S3 are considered imperilled.
Site
Area grouping together one or more
occurrences defined on an ecological basis and used as a
reference for analyses designed to identify areas requiring
protection.
Threatened or vulnerable species
The term groups together species designated or likely to be designated threatened or vulnerable under the Act respecting threatened or vulnerable species.
Vulnerable species: any species whose survival is at risk even though it is not likely to become endangered.
Threatened species: any species likely to become endangered.
